Does Life Have to be Empty?

O. T. #1526  "Does Life Have to be Empty?"
September 18, 2019
Ecclesiastes 1
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities: all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? (1:2,3)

LET IT GLOW

How is it going with you, my friend? Are you running here and there? Do you run the kids to school and activities while you run to work? Are we like a cog in a wheel, going round and round, but feel like we are getting no where? Is there meaning in your life today? Are you enjoying the ride along the way?  If not, you are not alone, friend. This book, which God placed in the Bible, gives us answers as the writer Solomon discovered them. Join us as we search out those answers for our individual life, like the Preacher did.

We know that the author is referring to himself as the Preacher or Debater, which was Solomon, David's son and king of Jerusalem at that time. (verse 1)

According to Warren W. Wiersbe, what topic is Solomon discussing in this book?  "Is life really worth living?" is the topic.

What is his first conclusion about life? Life is not worth living because life is full of vanity.

In the Hebrew, vanity means emptiness; unsatisfactory.

Solomon uses the word 38 times. Sounds like he is searching for a purpose in his life and considers it empty. One would think as king of Israel, he would find some joy in doing something, since he is the political head, has servants at his beckon call, has 700 wives, and could do whatever he wished. However, it appears to not be enough for this king.

What are his reasons for the emptiness in life?

• Man is only a cog in a big wheel. What is one person in comparison to the vast world? Life is short and we are insignificant, so why bother? (V. 4-11)
• Man cannot understand it all. The wisest man was baffled about the meaning of life. (V.12-18)
• Man's pleasures do not satisfy. Solomon had plenty of money, pleasure, culture, and fame. These did not last nor satisfy. (2:1-11)
• Death ends all. (2:12-23) Death happens to thefool and wise, poor and rich. Someone else enjoys the stuff and wealth. 

While it is true, living for today does not satisfy, there is more to come in eternity. That should be enough to keep us going.


LET IT GROW

Look at verse 3. All we experience under the sun is meaningless according to Solomon. But he does find the answer to making it meaningful, so hang in there with us.
What does our labor profit?
Profit means preeminence, gain.

This word is used 6 times in this book.
Just temporary goods if our labor is for selfish gain. If it is for the Lord Jesus, then there is no limit and our work could outlive us.

Are we laying up treasures in heaven or on earth?

Lay not up for yourself treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where  thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)


Jesus said that folks. Where is our treasure? Are we laboring for spiritual treasures or earthly ones?
No one can take them away nor can they rust nor be eaten by moths if our treasures are in eternal things. 

I say, life does not have to be empty when we are serving Jesus and others.

LET IT GO

Help me keep my focus onYou, Jesus.
May my labor be for spiritual things.
May I show your love to someone today.